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The most stolen vehicles of 2010

Lock down that 1994 Honda Accord, thieves are on the prowl. (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/Ben Javelina/Flickr)

While some organizations release early reports of the most stolen vehicles, the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s list of the most stolen vehicles of 2010 is the official word. For the third straight year, the 1994 Honda Accord takes the crime cake. Weak security and in-demand parts attract many car thieves.

Thieves target Accord, Civic and Camry

According to FBI data, nearly 52,000 1994 Honda Accords were pilfered in the U.S. last year. The NICB says the 1995 Honda Civic was the next-favorite theft target in 2010, followed by the 1991 Toyota Camry. These model Hondas and Toyotas have been car thieves’ favorites since 2000, according to the NICB report. For the first time since 2002, more domestic than foreign cars made the top 10 most stolen vehicles list.

“When they’re a well-made car, they’re going to be stolen,” said Abounader. “U.S. automakers have made advancements. People are noticing them finally.”

Good news for car owners

While a top 10 most stolen vehicles list generally does not inspire confidence in the average car owner, there is good news buried in the FBI’s figures, notes Automotive News. Vehicle theft numbers declined for the seventh straight year in 2010. Better still, the total number of thefts last year was the lowest recorded since 1967. So long as a car owner doesn’t live in California (which boasted eight of the top 10 regions for car theft), uses an ignition disabler in their car and has a manufacturer-installed tracking device like LoJack installed, the odds of theft decrease significantly.